A Suicidal Coward

           A young man was standing thoughtfully on a bridge. The currents of the river below were very strong. With a far away look in his eyes, he would sometimes sigh. He was frustrated and desperate. Then a thought arose in him, “I am very rich. I have known all the pleasures of this word. I have visited the most beautiful places, tasted the most delicious foods, and enjoyed all the pleasures that money could buy. Yet I am very unhappy now. My family is falling apart. My children died and my wife left me. I cannot stand it any longer. Although I still have my wealth, my heart is so empty and I suffer a lot.” He intended to commit suicide by jumping into the raging water.
            When he was about to do it, a filthy beggar approached him, “Sir, please give me some money to buy some food. I will pray for your health and long life.”
            Hearing this, he took out the wallet from his pocket. He took all his money and gave it to the beggar, “Take all of this,” he said.
            “All of this?” the beggar repeated. He could not believe his luck. “Yes, take it all. I am going to a place where I won’t need it any money more,” said the man. He looked back at the river below.
            The beggar felt something was wrong in this man’s attitude. After looking at the money and holding it for a while, he hurriedly returned it and said, “No, I won’t take it. I am a beggar but I am not a coward. I don’t want to receive any money from a coward! Bring your money with you to river.” He walked away quickly, shouting, “Good bye, Mister Coward!”
            Hearing what the beggar said, the man was very shocked. The satisfaction and happiness of giving his money top the beggar disappeared instantly. He really wanted the beggar to accept his money before he committed suicide. But the beggar refused it.
            At the moment, he suddenly realized that feeling that he felt just now, the good feeling coming from giving other in need, had given him happiness! It was a new feeling and experience for him. He looked at the river one more time, turned around, and walked away – trying to catch up with the beggar. He wanted to thank him and tell him that he did not want to be a coward. He promised himself that he would keep struggling to attain happiness by giving those in need.